Let me just say that the first thing you should know, is that I am not "feeding into the fear."
This pandemic is a very real thing. Obviously.
I just found out last night that my family went to Arkansas AND LIED TO ME ABOUT IT. My sister decided it would be best not to tell me because several weeks back when I found out that they planned to go, I said that our father was definitely not allowed to go because of his kidney status. Or that our mother shouldn't be going either. OR ANY OF THEM FOR THAT MATTER.
So they went. Right behind the back of the voice of reason. But what would I know? None of them have had symptoms of Covid-19. So that makes it okay. Neither my aunt or uncle who were with them have had symptoms either. So that definitely makes it okay. OKAY?
My father is in end-stage kidney disease and requires thrice weekly dialysis. Once upon a time my dad was a very robust man. Chunky in all the right places and loved to work outside on our house. Then diabetes caught up with him and sent him down dialysis boulevard. Never mind the fact that his brother died from kidney disease after refusing dialysis. We (as in the rest of the family) have decided that "it's not that serious." My favorite thing is "corona won't get me." NO DAD IT WON"T. It will weaken you to the point that your kidneys shut down and then it's game over. But guess what? It will still be because of the virus.
But again, what do I know? I diligently wear my mask to work and in public. I socially distance whenever possible. I haven't been in my parents' house (2 blocks up the street) in 5+ months. I am literally all alone with my dog in my house because it isn't safe for me to be near other people because I am in contact with patients all day long. And it's entirely possible that one of them currently has it.
Yes I think I've already had it. I had nearly every symptom listed at the beginning of the pandemic. I even still worked, but stayed away from everyone cause that's just what you do when you are feeling crummy. But that doesn't mean I can't get it again if I did for sure have it before. So I'm still taking every precaution I can. And people close to me have had people close to them contract the virus. My best friend has already lost people to it. It's a very real thing folks.
I found out this week that I lost two long time patients who I was very very fond of, to Covid. R was 62, and one of the most physically fit seniors I have ever known. At the gym every day, running and swimming, weights, you name it. Someone who still had so many miles left on him, taken way too soon because of this. And JP, he was in his 90s, but he sure was active. Always bringing food straight from his garden into the pharmacy whenever he was gonna be in the neighborhood. Yes he was old, but he was still taken from us too soon.
So I beg you, wear your mask. Our county numbers are on the downhill slope and can keep going that way if you would just shut up and do it. I assure you, none of us like wearing a mask. Nobody thinks it's easy to breathe in one. Nobody wakes up hype about doing it. So you aren't special. There are those of us required to wear one longer during the days than others, and those of us who benefit from not being in situations where we have to wear one at all.
But for the love of all things holy, WEAR YOUR FUCKING MASK.
